ALOR STAR: About 300 tonnes of ST15-grade rice will be distributed to grocery shops in Kedah soon.

Kedah Rice Millers Association president Datuk Chew Giok Kun said the move to supply rice directly to shops would make the staple cheaper and benefit consumers.

"It will also ensure that the rice reaches the market faster," he said.

Chew said the rice had been packed at the mills and would be distributed across the state in several phases.

He said about 1,000 bags of 10kg ST15 rice were distributed to sundry shops here yesterday.
The move follows a meeting here on Sunday between Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas), the Padi and Rice Control Division of the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry, Kedah Rice Millers Association, Kedah-Perlis Rice Millers Association and rice wholesalers.

Chew advised shopowners to sell rice at RM16.50 each bag and limit their sale to two bags per customer.

He also said that in order to meet the high market demand, about 50 rice millers in Kedah and Perlis had agreed to increase production of ST15 rice.

Chew said the government's move to increase the guaranteed minimum price to RM750 per tonne was only a short-term solution.

He suggested that the price be reviewed once the price of rice has stabilised.

Meanwhile, many millers in the state say that their stock of unprocessed rice is running low and will only last until next month.

Chew said he hoped the ministry would allow rice millers here to access unprocessed padi stock from other states such as Perak and Selangor, as the new crop could only be harvested in August.